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How Has The Media Influenced The Case Of Sam Sheppard

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The media influenced the case on more than one occasion and more than one level; in such instances as newspapers had already convicted Sam before the trail began. Gossip about Sam Sheppard's personal life especially his infidelity made it into the papers. The reporters seemed to act more like contemporary gossip columnists. The relationship between the media and the police officers, how they worked in conjunction with one another. This posed as a huge issue for the case because the media portrayal helped to convict Sam Sheppard. An example of this would be when Rossbach complained to the reporters outside that Dr. Sheppard would not answer their questions, and refused to take a polygraph test (Neff, 2002, p. 39). The public was willing to assume …show more content…

The rampant attention of the media was much like a speeding locomotive barreling down the tracks unable to stop destroying everything in its path. Sam was unable to stop this media frenzy because of how popular this case was during this time. The media put pressure on Dr. Gerber to try to get him to arrest Sam. An example of this would be the Cleveland Press news coverage with Louis Seltzer, an editor, published a devastating headline that applied pressure on Dr. Gerber and authorities. The section was titled “Somebody is getting away with Murder” this is not the only instance of applying pressure to the authorities (Neff, 2002, p. 84). The purpose behind all of this was to sell papers and by working side by side with the police the media influenced multiple aspects of the case. In such instances as stating “Why no Inquest, do it now, Dr. Gerber” this is a personal attack that demonstrates how media persuaded this case (Neff, 2002, p. 85). Not only was the media working side by side with the authorities, it helped evolve the case to be that much more one sided. The media was in an excited rage that it not only reported a one sided account that was based on personal opinion but it also mentioned about Sam affair with Susan Hayes, which is more like gossip rather than news. Attitudes about infidelity at that time, this helped to convict Sam because it reinforced that he was an evil person if he would do this to his

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